Anavar

evidence score

anabolic

Scheduled Substance

305 studies

OxandroloneOxandrinVar

Anavar (Oxandrolone) is an oral anabolic steroid with FDA approval for muscle wasting (HIV, burns, surgery recovery, alcoholic hepatitis). DHT-derived, therefore no aromatization and no estrogen-related side effects. Among the mildest oral anabolics in terms of androgenicity. Does not cause significant water retention. Clinical studies confirm lean mass preservation and strength in multiple disease states including AIDS wasting, Turner syndrome, and burn patients. Hepatotoxic as an oral 17-alpha-alkylated compound. Suppresses testosterone. Widely used in women due to lower virilization risk vs. other anabolics. Schedule III controlled substance.

Evidence

Moderate evidence

Safety

Unknown safety profile

Clinical Status

Approved

Research Sync

Feb 19, 2026

Dosing

Typical

40 mg

10 mgRange100 mg

FrequencyOral once or twice daily

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Pharmacology

Half-life9–10 hours

Onset2–3 weeks for strength; 4–6 weeks for body composition

DurationSuppression recovers in 4–8 weeks post-cycle; shorter at lower doses

Routes

oral

Evidence Score

Level B — Moderate

305 studies indexed · 7 meta-analyses

Scoring Factors

Volume(40%)~50/100

Quality(30%)~49/100

Sample Size(10%)~100/100

Consistency(10%)~100/100

Replication(5%)~100/100

Recency(5%)~100/100

Scores estimated from study counts. Exact breakdown computed after research sync.

Evidence Levels

AScore ≥75 with at least 1 meta-analysis and 3+ RCTs

BScore ≥50 with at least 1 RCT or meta-analysis

CScore ≥25 — observational or animal evidence only

DScore <25 — very limited or preclinical data

Plain-English Snapshot

Anavar is currently categorized as a anabolic compound.

Evidence is moderate (72/100): promising signal from 305 indexed studies, but context and population still matter.

Safety scoring is incomplete. Start conservatively and monitor carefully.

Core mechanism

Oral DHT-derived anabolic; binds AR in muscle/bone without aromatization; high anabolic-to-androgenic ratio; FDA-approved for wasting conditions

Practical Context

Strongest current signals

Level D: Androgen use in this outpatient female cohort was characterized by lower dosages than commonly reported in male cohorts, predominantly oral administration, and motivations tied almost exclusively to bodybuilding or strength sports, while these patterns may reduce some dose‐dependent risks such as heart failure.
Level D: Reduced masticatory stimulation remodels the biochemical environment of the masseter muscle, suppressing anabolic and anti-inflammatory signals while enhancing catabolic pathways, indicating that masticatory load regulates craniofacial muscle development and systemic metabolism through myokine-mediated mechanisms.
Level D: Vamorolone demonstrated comparable anti-inflammatory actions in TNFtg mice, with a comparable reduction in joint inflammation, serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and synovitis relative to prednisolone, and the efficacy of vamorolone is largely independent of 11β-HSD1 metabolism.

Elevated caution signals

1 severe/high side effect flag